WINGS NOTES: Realignment would diminish rivalry with Blackhawks

DETROIT — If it was this time already next year, Sunday’s game between the Wings and Chicago Blackhawks would have been the last between the clubs in the regular season.

But that’s only if the newest proposed NHL realignment goes through.

The new look has Detroit and Columbus moving from the West to the East, thus eliminating the Original Six rivalry between the Wings and Blackhawks.

“Ever since I got here, we’ve been in the West and we’ve been used to going to Chicago a lot, it’s a great rivalry,” Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg said. “At the same time, I’ve never been a part of the Toronto rivalry and we’ve heard a lot of things about that. For us, if we make that change it will be only positive for us I think, playing a lot of games in our own time zone kind of makes sense. If it happens, we’ll look forward to it.”

The teams would still play twice during the regular season, home and away.

“Definitely (the rivalry will be missed), but at the same time those two times you end up playing them is going to be more special,” defenseman Niklas Kronwall said.

If the proposal passes, the Wings would move into Central Division with three Original Six teams – Boston, Montreal and Toronto – along with Buffalo, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Florida.

“It definitely is (special rivalry),” Wings goalie Jimmy Howard said. “It’s always fun no matter where we play. It’s a great competition and great atmosphere. It’s one of those games you cherish and you look for on the schedule every year.”

Chicago would be part of the Midwest Division, along with Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg.

The proposed plan would need to be approved by the Board of Governors and the Players’ Association.

The other two divisions would look this this: Pacific Division (Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver); Atlantic Division (Carolina, Columbus, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington).

Last year, the Board of Governors approved a switch to four seven- or eight-team conferences, but the PA refused to agree to the change.

That proposal so the Wings in an eight-team conference, along with current Central Division foes Chicago, Columbus, Nashville and St. Louis, while adding Dallas, Minnesota and Winnipeg to the mix.

“It’s a good rivalry,” Chicago’s Patrick Kane said. “I know the fans love it on both sides. I don’t really know what’s going on with the realignment. It’s nice to have rivalries, but it’s also nice to go into each team’s building and play once and see each team come into your building.

Delay of gameWings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson thought he was making the safe play late in the third period, but instead he got a two-minute penalty for delay of game.

“I was caught against the boards and just trying to not get it stopped by the wall by their guy,” Ericsson said. “I don’t think I’d be about to make that, even if I tried, out of 10 times, because the angles are not really there to get it over the boards but I don’t know, just what happens.”

Chicago scored the equalizer with him in the box.

“I thought (it would) hit something,” Ericsson added. “I don’t think I could make that (over the glass) even if I tried.”

Niklas Kronwall was sent off just 1:02 later for the same infraction.

“You could always take the extra-tenth of a second or whatever to make sure the puck is flat,” Kronwall said of his delay of game penalty.

Hossa reaches 1,000When former Wing Marian Hossa was acknowledged for playing in his 1,000 NHL game, he got a mixed reaction from the fans.

“It’s part of the deal of being around and being a special player,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “He’s the ultimate pro. He should be proud of his career and his achievements. He’s a dangerous player in all aspects and he’s the perfect guy to coach. He plays the team system to a tee. We’re happy to have him.”

Hossa played one season with the Wings before signing a 12-year contract worth $62.8 million with Chicago in 2009.

“It’s nice that we didn’t end the streak on my 1,000th game, so I am happy,” Hossa smiled afterwards.

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